The Minnesota Vikings have another critical NFC North matchup on Sunday when they face the Green Bay Packers. After losing to the Chicago Bears on Sunday, the Vikings remain on the road for another tough game as they try to keep pace in the NFC Wild Card race.

The Vikings' passing game struggled against the Bears while playing without Percy Harvin in the slot to give Christian Ponder a playmaker to loosen up the defense. With or without Harvin this week, Ponder and the Vikings will try to attack the Packers while avoiding Green Bay's Casey Hayward.

The Packers rookie cornerback out of Vanderbilt quickly developed a reputation as a shutdown corner and the Vikings should avoid testing the young corner on Sunday. Hayward has five interceptions and hasn't allowed a touchdown all season for Green Bay. Also, according to Sam Monson, Hayward's other statistics are even more amazing.

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Hayward has allowed just 44.8% of passes thrown at him to be caught by receivers. Quarterbacks throwing at the rookie have a rating of just 28.0 -- significantly better than any other corner in the NFL -- and Hayward does it all without needing to resort to penalties to prevent catches because he has yet to be flagged.

No touchdowns? No flags? Those bottom-line stats alone should have Ponder looking elsewhere to complete passes in Green Bay on Sunday.

The only knock I can find on Hayward to this point.. he might lack blue chip height.

If the kid continues to focus on the game.. sky is the limit.

With the talent he has there is no need for that extra height. Dude has proven to be an animal so far in his career and I can't wait to see what he'll be like a couple years down the road if he keeps improving.

Hayward has been impressive... and I'll bring this up: with Hayward proving he is a playmaker nickel ... what purpose does Woodson really serve?

I love Woodson, but you have to think Jennings or McMillian will improve in the off-season to the point that they offer you more at S than Woodson. Add House and Shields, you've got a pretty solid group of young DBs. Of course, there is also Jarrett Bush who we know can hang with the best of them ... I kid, I kid.

But I am serious about Woodson's role going forward. Personally, I'd much rather use his salary to get Predator (Clay) and BJ extended. Is Woodson on his last legs here? I hate to say this, but a part of me hopes so based on our young players at DB...

Hayward has been impressive... and I'll bring this up: with Hayward proving he is a playmaker nickel ... what purpose does Woodson really serve?

I love Woodson, but you have to think Jennings or McMillian will improve in the off-season to the point that they offer you more at S than Woodson. Add House and Shields, you've got a pretty solid group of young DBs. Of course, there is also Jarrett Bush who we know can hang with the best of them ... I kid, I kid.

But I am serious about Woodson's role going forward. Personally, I'd much rather use his salary to get Predator (Clay) and BJ extended. Is Woodson on his last legs here? I hate to say this, but a part of me hopes so based on our young players at DB...

My personal opinion, without a greatly reduced salary, Woodson was playing his final year in GB. With the young kids playing like they are (Richardson in the mix as well) I think that may have rendered the possibility of a salary reduction moot.

The question is, will he want to play elsewhere or hang them up?

I think when there's enough will and aggression, there's no shortage of talent either.

My personal opinion, without a greatly reduced salary, Woodson was playing his final year in GB. With the young kids playing like they are (Richardson in the mix as well) I think that may have rendered the possibility of a salary reduction moot.

The question is, will he want to play elsewhere or hang them up?

Charles Woodson will retire this season with no hesitation after earning his second championship ring.

"I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success... such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything." - Nikola Tesla

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